Slip handling apparatus



Sept. 20, 1949. w. T. HARRISON SLIP HANDLING APPARATUS Filed April 8, 1944 FIG.

GJN. RY. GO. TO

LOADED EMPTY KIND DATE DELIVERED BY ATSTATION MARKS 3 INVENTOR William T. Harrison ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 20, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to handling apparatus and more particularly to apparatus for transferring or removing a plurality of elements from one station to another station. The apparatus of this invention is particularly adapted to handle railway junction slips, which are relatively small and difiicult. to handle manually, after the data thereon have been copied onto a permanent record or the like.

Among the objects of this invention are to provide handling apparatus which will quickly and efiectively move a. plurality of elements, in turn, from a. receiver or one station to a second receiver or discharge station; to provide such handling apparatus. which will pick up an element or slip at one station, move it to the second station, drop the slip, and then return to the first station; to provide such apparatus in which discharge of the element at the second station and return of the pickup device are eifected substantially automatically; to provide such apparatus which includes a pickup device operating by suction; to provide such apparatus which requires only a foot pedal or the like. for actuation and control; to provide such apparatus which does not require connection to an electrical circuit,. an external vacuum, line, or the like; to provide such apparatus which is readily transportable and is easy to; set up and use; and to provide such apparatus which. is relatively simple and cheap in construction.

Other objects and novel features of this invention will become apparent from the description which follows.

Ingeneral, handling apparatus constructed, in accordance with this invention includes a receiver or. first. station for a plurality of elements, a second receiver or station to which the elements. are to be transferred, a pickup device inoluding suction means for transferring the elements, anda pedally or manually operated suction producing device which not only causes an element to be picked up. by the suction means, but also effects movement of the suction means support. from the pickup to the discharge position. The: suction. device support may include one or more. pivoted arms, preferably in pantographic arrangement; and a. counterweight, spring or the like-,.may be provided. to return the supportand suction device automatically to the first station. Preferably, a valve is provided: for introducing airinto the suction line when the pickup device reaches the point of discharge of the elements, andthisvalveis preferably actuated automatical ly in accordance with the position of the suction device support.

Handling apparatusof' the above type andconstructed' in. accordance with this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of such apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of such apparatus; and

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a railway junction slip of a type particularly adapted to be handled by the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, an embodiment of the invention includes a receiving station S, at which a plurality of elements such as railway junction slips 9 are placed while the data thereon are copied onto a permanent record, or the like. The slips 9 are picked up in turnby a pickup device P and moved over to a second or discharge station S, at which the suction maintained by the pickup device is broken, and the pickup device is automatically returned to its initial position. The. suction for picking up the slips, and also for moving the pickup device from the receiving to the discharge station, is preferably obtained through a tube It or other suitable conduit by a foot -operated suction device P, which may be placed on the floor or in any other location convenient for easy operation.

The receiving station S and discharge station S, as well as the pickup device P, are preferably mounted on a platform ll having legs ii. to space the platform from the table or other resting place, so that the record upon which data from the junction slips are bein copied may he slipped under the platform for the convenience of the user.

The pickup device P is preferably mounted on a plate l5 pivotall'y supported, such as by a pair of Z-shaped arms It in pantographic arrangement and extending through suitable bearings in plate l5 and a wall I! mounted on platform H. For moving the pickupdevice from the receiving to the discharge station, an arcuate counterweight |8- may be attached to one of the arms on the opposite side of the wall from the receiving and discharge-stations, and a chain l9 may connect the counterweight with a plunger 20 mounted in a cylinder 21-. When the pedal of the footoperated suction device F is depressed, suction is produced in tube Ill and is transmitted to a connection' tube 22 and thence through a suction inlet 23 to the space 24 within cylinder 2 I. This causes the plunger 20 to move back to the dotted position of Fig. 1, thus causing arms l6 topivot and the pickup device P to move from the receiving to the discharge station.

At the same time,- the suction or vacuum is alsotransmitted through connection tube 22 to flexible tube 25, formed of rubber or the like; which is connected with a vertical suction tube 26 ofthe pickupdevice P. A cross tube 21 connects vertical tube 26 with a second vertical tube 28, and the tubesZS and- 28 are preferably provided with enlarged discs or suction cups 29 at theirlower ends. Discs 292 may beformed of metal, rubber, or any other suitable material, and to assist the pick-up of individual slips by the suction cups, a block 30 of sponge rubber or the like may be placed centrally of the receiving station to produce a slight spring-like action .of the slips or elements, causing them to press upwardly against the suction cups.

The upper end of vertical tube 28 is normally 'closed by valve 32, which may be a plate valve or a needle valve as shown, mounted on a stem 33 which is guided for reciprocation in a suitable manner, as by a stem support 34. Valve 32 may be opened by a cam 35 attached to the end of an arm l6 and pivoting therewith as the pickup device moves from the receiving to the discharge station. When the pickup device reaches a point just above the discharge station, cam 35 engages a spring arm 35 to lift valve 32 ofi its seat and thereby break the vacuum, or introduce air into the suction system at the end of vertical tube 28. This causes the junction slip or other element to drop off onto the discharge station.

At the same time, when air is introduced into the suction line, the vacuum in cylinder 2| is also broken, so that plunger 28 and chain [9 no longer tend to hold the pickup device in the discharge position. The weight of counterweight it tends to move the pickup device back to a central position between the two stations, but a torsion or coiled spring 31, which may be constructed similarly to a clock main spring, which has been coiled up during movement of the pickup device from the receiving to the discharge station, tends to uncoil and move the pickup device back to its original position. The action of the counterweight may be enhanced by a tension spring 38, attached at one end to platform II and at the other end to a bracket 39 attached to the rear end of the other arm l6. Tension spring 38 tends to start the pickup device more evenly upwardly from the receiving station, and to resist movement downwardly toward the discharge station, along with torsion spring 31, and also to resist the downward movement of the pickup device toward the receiving station on the return stroke, thus making the movements of the pickup device more uniform.

To guide the slips in their movement from the receiving to the discharge station, a parabolic or similarly shaped wire or other guide M may extend between the inner ends of the stations, to insure that any slips which are dropped by the pickup device above the discharge station will find their way to the proper place instead of perhaps falling back onto the pile of slips at the receiving station. The receiving and discharge stations may comprise a supporting block 42, adjustable longitudinally of platform H, and having mounted thereon an end plate 43 and a back plate 44. A front plate 35 of each station is preferably formed of transparent material, such as plastic or the like, so as to insure that the user will be able to read accurately the data on the slips, yet at the same time a considerable pile .of slips may be placed at the receiving station or collect at the discharge station without falling over, etc. The portion of the apparatus at the ,rear may be covered by a housing 46 for protec- .tion and appearance.

The foot suction device may comprise a base 53 upon which a foot pedal is pivoted at one end, and at the opposite end pivotally attached to a casing 52 in which a plunger 53 is attached to a shaft 54. Shaft 54 may comprise a hollow tube extending through plunger 53 and having its 4 upper end closed as well as pivotally attached to a supporting bracket 55. Suction line 22 which may be a rubber tube or the like, is attached to hollow shaft 54 adjacent the upper end of the latter. When the foot pedal 5! is depressed, the casing 52 is pulled downwardly against the tension of a spring 56, which may be attached to the casing or to the foot pedal at one end and at the other end to support 55, so that a suction or vacuum is produced within the casing by downward movement of the casing with respect to the plunger. The suction or vacuum is transmitted through suction line 22 to the portions of the apparatus maintained on platform II, to produce the operations described above. As will be evident, the suction means support is operated by vacuum or a vacuum effect which is the same as, or derived from the same source, as the vacuum which causes the suction cups to pick up the topmost slip.

When the suction in the line 22 is broken, and the pickup device returns to the receiving station, the suction or vacuum is also broken in the casing 52, so that the foot pedal must be permitted to move upward, or moved upward, before the pickup device is actuated for the next slip. Also, it is desirable to return the pedal to its initial position while the valve 32 is still open, so that the full suction effect can be obtained when the pedal is again depressed.

Railway junction slips of a type specially adapted to be handled by the embodiment of this invention illustrated herein may be constructed as in Fig. 3. Each slip includes spaces for various data thereon which are filled in at the time the slips are received. These slips are passed on to the conductor of the train, or remain at the station from which shipment is made or received, but are collected individually since they may come from different railroads and may represent different types of cars and/or merchandise being shipped. It will be understood, of course, that the elements handled by apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention may be any type of slip, made of paper or other material, and may vary considerably in size and shape, as well as other attributes.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that handling apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention is very effective and efficient in operation and is relatively simple in construction. Due to the suction produced by the footoperated device F, there is no necessity for connection with an external suction line, and due to the movement of the pickup device by suction in cylinder 2|, there is no need for electrical motor connections or the like. In addition, the return of the pickup device is automatic through suitable means, such as described, which includes the torsion spring. Also, the device is relatively light in weight; and therefore easily transportable; may be readily set up and taken down; and occupies very little space.

As an example of the efficiency which may be produced by this invention, a normal operator has been able to transfer the data from 600 to 700 slips in about one and one half hours, whereas the standard for railroads in regular manual transfer operations is 1,000 slips per eight-hour day. Thus, the number of railway junction slips which can be handled in a given period of time by use of this invention is between 320% and 370% of the number of slips which normally are handled.

It will be understood that embodiments of this invention other than that particularly described may exist, and that the details of construction described herein are merely illustrative of one embodiment thereof. For example, the suction device F may be operated by hand, by a lever, by remote control or the like; and the valve 32 may be any other type, may be placed at a different position in the suction line, and may be actuated by movement of some other part, such as plunger 20. Also, plunger 20 may be actuated by pressure produced when suction is produced to pick up the elements, by a double-acting piston or the like.

If desired,'the transparent plates 45 may be made of glass or other material imparting a magnifying effect to render the slips 9 and matter printed and written thereon more easily read by the operator of the device.

It will further be understood that various other changes and variations may be made in this invention, and that it may be utilized for other and diiferent purposes, all without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. Handling apparatus comprising a receiving station for a plurality of elements; a suction device for picking up said elements in turn and moving said elements to a second station; a pivotally mounted support for moving said suction device from said first station to said second station; suction operated means for moving said support; a suction line connected with said suction device and said suction operated means; a valve mounted on said support for admitting air into said suction line at a predetermined point; and a cam attached to said support and positioned for actuating said valve.

2. Apparatus for handling railway junction slips, comprising a receiving station provided with a transparent front wall; a discharge station spaced laterally from said receiving station and adapted to receive said junction slips after data thereon have been copied; a guide extending between said stations for defining at least a portion of the path of movement of said slips; a suction device having a plurality of suction cups adapted to engage said slips; a vacuum line connected with said suction device; a support for said suction device including a pair of pivoted arms in pantographic arrangement; a counterweight attached to one of said arms; a torsion spring connected with one of said arms; a suction cylinder having a plunger therein; means for connecting said plunger with said arms for rotating the same in one direction, said torsion spring being adapted to return said arms to their initial position; a vacuum line connected with said cylinder and with said suction device; a valve connected with said suction device for admitting air thereto; a cam mounted on one of said arms, said valve and cam being so pcsitioned that said cam is adapted to open said valve at a predetermined point; and a, foot operated vacuum-producing device connected with said vacuum line.

3. Handling apparatus comprising a receiving station for a plurality of elements; a suction device for picking up said elements in turn and moving said elements to a second station; a pivotally mounted support for moving said suction device from said first station to said second station; suction operated means for moving said support; a suction line connected with said suction device and said suction operated means; a manually actuated plunger and cylinder for producing a common suction effect for simultaneously actuating said suction device and said moving means so as to remove an element from said receiving station; a valve mounted on said support for admitting air into Said suction line at a predetermined point; and a cam attached to saild support and positioned for actuating said va ve.

WILLIAM T. HARRISON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 240,333 Perkins Apr. 19, 1881 419,014 Groth Jan. 7, 1890 583,376 Hoppe May 25, 1897 591,094 Dexter Oct. 5, 1897 835,234 Broad Nov. 6, 1906 853,910 Tyden May 14, 1907 1,005,518 Davis Oct. 10, 1911 1,029,206 McCall June 11, 1912 1,039,109 Dennis Sept. 24, 1912 1,367,528 Anderson et a1 Feb. 8, 1921 1,625,085 Leach Apr. 19, 1927 1,816,319 Eksergian July 28, 1931 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 394,006 Great Britain June 19, 1933 

